Community Health Improvement

Healthy Communities

Through our commitment to improving the health and wellness of the communities we serve, Ascension understands that creating healthy communities requires a systemic, collaborative approach. In addition to caring for those in need, we also want to give everyone the opportunity to live a healthy life.

Recognizing we cannot do this work alone, Ascension partners and collaborates with diverse community stakeholders across the country to improve health by addressing food insecurity, housing, transportation, safety issues and employment needs – striving for 100 percent healthcare access and 100 percent coverage.

Community Health Needs Assessment Reports

As part of this commitment, we implement and fund programs designed to meet the needs of the community, for example: 

  • Ascension SE Michigan in Detroit has launched the Bridges to HOPE (Helping Others Prosper through Empowerment) program – a partnership between St. John Community Health Investment Corporation (a division of Ascension SE Michigan), Catholic Charities of Southeast Michigan and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul. This program will help participants identify community and personal assets that can aid them in achieving their goals. Bridges of HOPE will bring together people from all economic classes to address the causes of poverty in order to build resources, improve job retention rates, reduce health inequities, improve outcomes and support those who are moving out of poverty.
  • Providence Hospital in Mobile, Alabama, developed a partnership with their local food bank through a partnership with Feeding America. Recognizing the relationship between food insecurity and health, the two organizations will work together on a range of programs, including community gardens, outreach and enrollment efforts, educational opportunities and more.  Ascension and Feeding America hope to learn from this initial effort and expand the relationship to include other ministries in the future.
  • Saint Agnes Hospital in Baltimore is developing Bon Secours Gibbons Apartments, the first project at Gibbons Commons, a 32-acre mixed-use community. The four-story apartments will offer 80 one-, two- and three-bedroom units; community and recreational space; and underground parking. Catholic Charities USA is also involved in the Gibbons Commons project. It is developing plans to provide housing at the apartment complex for grandparents raising their grandchildren. Grounded in the need to provide the southwest Baltimore area a safe and healthy place to live, work, play and learn, Gibbons Commons will provide community housing, food options and office space.